Wallace

Aye, the two Ameobis and Campbell cannot cover that up, imo. We need a striker, preferably in this window so we can get them while they aren't cup-tied for the cup or Europe. If they do go to the ACoN, every club will know we are desperate for a striker come January so we will probably be priced out of our preferred targets.

What I am never clear about with NUFC is if a club comes in with a good offer that they would accept but the player says he wants to stay, what would happen. Is the player "encouraged" to move or are the club happy to decline the offer? They keep sayiing they are doing their utmost to keep their best players (despite giving out a different message to the media) but if a player doesn't want to leave, then there is no difficulty in keeping him.

That'll never happen, though. ? seems to be pretty close to be honest It does. Hate to say it but I'm worried about facing that front 4. Fletcher, Johnson and Dempsey usually manage to score goals against us.

We are led to believe that we put in offers for De Jong and Debuchy a few weeks ago which were turned down so it seems we were prepared to spend £15m early in the transfer window before we knew that Ba was staying and without selling a "big" name. I wonder whether we were convinced that we would be selling someone to fund purchases and the fact that hasn't happened as yet has made us hesitant about putting in further offers. Although wanting our current players to stay, I do not agree with the idea that the window will have been a success if no one else leaves. Pardew has started talking about challenging for the top 4 albeit as one of the chasing pack which he never did last season. There were weaknesses in the squad last year which have not been addressed at this stage and we are even more dependent on the first 11 staying fit and maintaining their form (once they find it!). At the same time, most of out supposed rivals look to be strengthening. I think the players too will feel let down as they are ambitious and want to see the club continuing to move forward and at the moment, it seems to me as if we are happy to stand still. However, hopefully a lot is going on behind the scenes so that we can move quickly and that any business is done before Friday. Can't bear the thought of that Sky puppet having his strings pulled by Llambias to keep us all on tenterhooks thoughout Friday to be ultimately disappointed at the end of the day.

i disagree, i think he's a better player than that. when here he dominated by having the ball played to feet and chest outside the box, he wins loads of headers in that area but hasn't a clue where they are going, he's only good in the air in the box. liverpool had the plan of using the him in the air everywhere. my worry about his return is off the field stuff and upsetting what seems like a very happy camp. I think he will be OK within the club. He and Taylor sorted out their differences a long time ago and the other players at that time seemed to really like him. Obviously, there are a lot of players there now that he would not know and with Nolan no longer there to "mentor" him, it would be quite different to how it was previously. Outside of the club in the town could be a problem but he has been up here often enough since he left and managed not to get into any bother so maybe he has matured. Not sure why Rodgers is lashing out at Newcastle - it is his actions and thoughtless interviews that have caused the problem Liverpool have now. And if they keep him with no intention of playing him other than as a last resort, they are only forking out more money in wages for a player whose value will keep dropping with every window that passes.

I am quite bemused by our transfer dealings this Summer now that we are just over a week away from the window closing. We went into the Summer being told that we had exciting targets lined up with 2nd and 3rd choices identified if our first choice didn't come off. We also lost several of the first team squad which encouraged the thought that we would be getting in 3 or 4 better quality players to replace them. Instead, we seem to have bolstered the squad with inexperienced youngsters "for the future"and not replacing 2 strikers who despite their shortcomings would have played a decent number of games this season if fit. We started off prepared to pay decent money for a striker at a point when we were unaware whether Ba would be going and since then have only been linked with Carroll. I assume we are serious about Carroll because if the lad is as keen to come back as we are being led to believe, then it will not have been fair to him if we are just playing games with Liverpol for Ashley and Llambias's amusement. We are told that there is a budget to cover several new signings but at present, we seem reluctant to increase our bids even when the difference does not seem that much for a player than would improve us and who wants to come. At this stage with the outgoings, we have only spent £1-2m and must have saved loads in wages. Yes, Anita looks a good signing and seems pivotal in how Pardew wants us to play but surely others areas of the team needed strengthening first. I keep reading the journalists saying that we are now concentrating on trying to keep our players rather than bringing in new ones but if no-one has put any offers in, what does than mean? I saw somwhere on Twitter that an "agent" said that Man Utd had firmed up their interest in Cabaye and Pardew had told the board that under no circumstances were they to entertain any offers for him - but would they listen to him? And if the player himself is not especially keen to move clubs would they automatically turn down the bid? I'd love to know what the criteria is that would make the board listen to offers for players. Is it purely financial or would they consider the impact on the team? I think selling Colo would have a very negative impact not only on the team's performances but also on the players' morale but would the board care if the offer was "too good to turn down". There are some players in the team whose sale at this stage of the transfer window would cause huge problems because they are a major reason for our style of play and would be very expensive to replace. If clubs put in offers that matched our valuations of say Tiote and Cabaye, would we sell both or only one? Do the board have genuine ambition to improve the team or only to just keep it ticking over with the minimum investment they can get away with? Are we still pursuing all of our original targets or have we moved on to the alternatives? And if not, why not? Or was there never any real serious intent to recruit the players needed. There is no doubt that the squad is lacking in certain areas. And seeing as we seem to take an age to do any deal, is there enough time to move on to new targets? Of course, maybe we are a long way down the road with new signings and a couple of players will be signed unexpectedly in the next few days which would make these musings rather pointless. It is just that I find our transfer dealings frustrating and contradictory. I always feel that I still don't really know what Ashley wants to do with the football club other than promote Sports Direct but it often seems as if the club are playing some sort of game when it comes to transfers and the footbal and team itself, is of secondary consideration. As it stands I think we are very reliant on the kids stepping up this season to play in the Cups and hoping that we don't get any major injuries. I personally think that we might find it harder to hold on to players next Summer especially if we don't perform as well this season and it looks like the league is going to be much more competitive this year. (I would dearly love our current players to be the ones that win a trophy for us). On a slightly different note, would it make sense to pay a little more for a player like Debuchy now because surely next season with the new TV deal, transfer prices and player's wages will increase again.

He hasn't had a chance to extend his Euro record over the mackems for a few years, that alone will see at least two goals a game from him. Always thought Shola was more suited to European football with the slower pace. Too late now - age and his fitness record are against him.

He didn't put in a transfer request. The club put him on the list and he found out from Sky.

I'm surprised more hasn't been made of this. Especially as someone just said they are stood next to him in he players in public thread I think he often goes straight back to Newcastle after games.

Think he is still working his way back rom injury.

Don't recognise a few of the English players - know the names but not the faces.

Thought RVP said he could never play for another English club because he loved Arsenal so much.

http://www.networkonetickets.co.uk/magpie-mover

Also said he thought there was a low release clause but thought that the fact he had played for France in the Euros might have triggered a higher release clause.

I've always thought that there is something going on here. It's weird how Pardew always praises Carroll when he was only his manager for about 7 weeks and for which Carroll was injured for at least 4-5 weeks of that time. He cannot have worked with him enough to back him in public as much as he does. Also, Dekka got a bit touchy when Carroll received stick in one of our matches against Liverpool and actually managed to write something in the programme the following week to criticise our fans for giving Carroll a hard time. Anyway, if Carroll only wants to come to us then Liverpool have a problem. The papers say they need to sell in order to raise money to buy players. So does Rodgers sell him at a knock down price or pay another £4m a year in wages to a player he doesn't want, probably won't play and who will be worth less with every passing window.

There has been no segregation in any of the games. Apparently all due to the ethos of the Olympics.

Such a s*** player, shame he didn't go to the mackems. Great in his first season, s**** in the subsequent two. Also, a penchant for getting involved in rucks outside pubs in the early hours, and - utterly unforgiveably - twatted Gordon Cowans on a club "bonding" field trip. He will have a new drinking partner in Nolan. Sign Carroll and they'll have another one to join their group.

He is going to have to put some work in to be ready for the new season.

Dekka - They said at the time it was £30m up front and that Dekka quote was from when he was out on the lash acting all billy bigtime and and the conversation was taped.

I hope he doesn't go to West Ham. He is a good player but I can't see Allardyce developing him into a better player whereas a good manager would do so. I also think he could do enough to keep them up and I want them to go straight back down playing the Allardyce way whilst almost every other club has tried to improve their playing style. If it is true and obviously the latest reports are saying not, then Liverpool have already gone back on what Rodgers said a few days ago that they would definitely not let him leave on loan .

Radio Newcastle have just said that it is their understanding that the deal for Carroll to move to West Ham initially on loan is getting closer.

Guess that means they are staying in the Hilton.

Sorry about that but they added to the occasion and we don't see many banners at SJP.

I'd like Carroll back here but I think the reported fees are too high. However, this seems as if it is being driven by Ashley and Llambias and they seem to really want him at the club (unless they are playing games which is always possible). Ultimately though if we do get him, I am not concerned about the price because I don't believe Ashley will be risking the club financially although the concern is whether it will mean they will decide not to strengthen other areas of the team.

Enjoyed both matches at SJP yesterday. Thought the Japanese banners and flags all around the ground looked good.